Friends of the Shepherd Public Library have compiled a book based on the history of Shepherd. The book includes photos and information from its predecessor, a book compiled in 1989 by John and Linda McIntyre, along with more recent content. less

Friends of the Shepherd Public Library have compiled a book based on the history of Shepherd. The book includes photos and information from its predecessor, a book compiled in 1989 by John and Linda McIntyre, ... more

Photo: JACOB MCADAMS

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“Over the Hills and Through the Woods” is a pictorial book based on the history of Shepherd, Texas, from the 1870s to 1989. It was compiled by John and Linda McIntyre. A new history book being sold for $20 at Shepherd Public Library includes the content the McIntyres collected but also includes recent history from 1989-2013. less

“Over the Hills and Through the Woods” is a pictorial book based on the history of Shepherd, Texas, from the 1870s to 1989. It was compiled by John and Linda McIntyre. A new history book being sold for $20 ... more

Photo: JACOB MCADAMS

Image 3 of 3

Shepherd library promotes book about local history

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Each city has its own unique history, no matter how great or small. The same can be said about Shepherd, where the population has been little more than 2,000 people.

John and Linda McIntyre proved this point in 1989 when they put together “Over the River and Through the Woods,” a book compiling the history of Shepherd and the surrounding areas from the 1870s through 1989.

The original edition was in limited quantity and could not spread much farther than the Shepherd Public Library.

This changed however, when Friends of the Library decided to get involved in publishing a new edition of the book, containing all of the first edition’s history and photographs while adding in more history from 1989 to 2013.

“[Friends of the Library] is a non-profit organization that helps the library raise funds that are not in their budget,” said Diana Wilkinson, the librarian.

In the spring of 2013, Mildred “Pat” Jennings, one of the members of Friends of the Library, spoke with the McIntyres about publishing a second edition to “Over the River and Through the Woods,” but going beyond the limits of the current edition.

One change that was made to the new edition was having it professionally published and printed — something the original copy never achieved. This also made the new edition available for sale, one of the ideas the Friends of the Library instituted to increase availability.

“They wanted everybody to be able to have a copy,” said Wilkinson.

The book itself is divided into numerous sections. The information added in the second edition is separated from the first, while the first begins in the late 1800s and then explores Shepherd throughout the decades.

Other sections include history of the chamber of commerce, local family businesses like McClain’s, a bank robbery that was believed to be impossible due to weather conditions, and even some of the recent history, such as the story of Amber Holcomb, a young girl who competed in the last two seasons of American Idol.

In the back of the book is a message, acknowledging the fact that there is more history in Shepherd and San Jacinto that could have gone in this book, but it is now lost because younger generations of any given time period fail to ask about the past of the older generation. The message then pleads with readers to write down their own history, because it is important.

“Over the River and Through the Woods” was put into print in Dec. 2013. It is currently available for purchase for $20 at the Shepherd Public Library for those who have an interest in the community’s history.

The Shepherd Public Library, located at 30 Liberty St., is open every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Tuesday and Thursday, from noon to 5 p.m.